Neil Mulholland's JONGLEUR D'ETOILES (nap) had to scrap pretty hard to master Edgewell at Catterick last month and is slightly worse off at the weights with that rival here but he's on a upward curve and can complete a hat-trick. Edgewell may again be his main threat, while it's reasonable to expect another good run from Just Chasing May.[Chris Wilson]
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Opened account with 5l win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last June and placed on all four starts since (2m3f-2m7f, good-soft); seems very likely to give another good account and be on the premises again.
Irish point winner; soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles in the autumn (2m4f-2m6f) and not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but is open to improvement and worth a glance in the betting.
Improving 6yo who bids to complete a hat-trick after recent soft-ground wins at Wincanton (3m) and Catterick (3m1f); drew well clear of the others with runner-up Edgewell on latter occasion and might still be well treated after latest 6lb rise.
Went close over fences at Hereford (3m1f, good) in November but did look look wildly enthusiastic when beaten about 22l on next two outings, latterly when reverting to hurdles in first-time blinkers; goes without headgear here; needs to show a lot more zest.
Didn't run badly when sixth of 16 at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) 11 days ago and is probably worth another crack at 3m but has largely been disappointing since returning from a layoff last summer.
Won over fences at Downpatrick (2m7f, good to yielding) in the autumn and ran big race in defeat behind Jongleur d'Etoiles at Catterick (3m1f, soft) when back over hurdles last month; has to take a 5lb rise on the chin but still needs to be taken very seriously.
Unplaced all seven hurdle runs, most recently when sixth of seven in first-time visor (retained) at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) last month; well beaten over 3m two starts ago; significant improvement required.
Fair stayer on the Flat (albeit a maiden); third in both handicap hurdles, more recently when upped to 2m7f at Fakenham (good) a fortnight ago, but needs to find something extra here; cheekpieces refitted.
0-14 over hurdles but has not been with Rebecca Menzies that long and kept on well for close third of 16 at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) just after Christmas; obvious each-way claims if in similar form again.
Soundly beaten when 33-1 for first two handicaps (2m4f/2mf); tries a new trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; considered only if much stronger in the betting this time.
Won a small-field 3m2f handicap in April 2023 and returned from long absence with very encouraging fourth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in December; back up in trip today; no surprise if he features.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
